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[I-35]

Photo by Eric Stuve, on Flickr

To that ODOT engineer—if SH-32 didn't junction with I-35 there wouldn't be a sign there at all, now would there?

Very true.  That sign has been JCT my whole lifetime, and I’m pulling up on 40.  Goes to show how strong the copy/paste urge is in the sign department.

[Plutonic Panda]

Lots of renumbering and interstate designation extensions coming to central Oklahoma area:

Taken from OKCTalk:

Turnpikes getting Highway Numbers
Item No. 105 - State Highway System Numbering Revisions – Mr. Swift

a) Removal of the SH-152 Designation between JCT I-44/SH-152 and JCT SH-152/John Kilpatrick TP
b) Addition of a new Designation of I-240 to the above section of SH-152, the John Kilpatrick TP, and
the Kickapoo TP
c) Addition of an I-240 Follow Route on portions of I-44 and I-40
d) Addition of a new Designation of SH-4 to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike – Norman Spur
e) Addition of a new Designation of SH-301 to the Chickasaw Turnpike
f) Addition of a new Designation of SH-312 to the Cimarron Turnpike Spur
g) Addition of a new Designation of SH-375 to the Indian Nation Turnpike

Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz will update the commission on the next phase of the modernization effort involving three state transportation agencies, ongoing federal funding discussions in U.S. Congress, and proposed state highway numbering designations at Oklahoma turnpike connections.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2021/july/august-transportation-commission-meeting-scheduled-for-monday--a.html

[US 89]

I'm surprised the Bailey Spur is becoming a SH-4 extension. Yeah, it makes sense, but I would have guessed they'd go with SH-309.

[Scott5114]

I-240 extension discussion split off here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=29867.0

[Scott5114]

Lots of renumbering and interstate designation extensions coming to central Oklahoma area:

Taken from OKCTalk:

Turnpikes getting Highway Numbers
Item No. 105 - State Highway System Numbering Revisions – Mr. Swift

a) Removal of the SH-152 Designation between JCT I-44/SH-152 and JCT SH-152/John Kilpatrick TP
b) Addition of a new Designation of I-240 to the above section of SH-152, the John Kilpatrick TP, and
the Kickapoo TP
c) Addition of an I-240 Follow Route on portions of I-44 and I-40
d) Addition of a new Designation of SH-4 to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike – Norman Spur
e) Addition of a new Designation of SH-301 to the Chickasaw Turnpike
f) Addition of a new Designation of SH-312 to the Cimarron Turnpike Spur
g) Addition of a new Designation of SH-375 to the Indian Nation Turnpike

Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz will update the commission on the next phase of the modernization effort involving three state transportation agencies, ongoing federal funding discussions in U.S. Congress, and proposed state highway numbering designations at Oklahoma turnpike connections.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2021/july/august-transportation-commission-meeting-scheduled-for-monday--a.html

Approved effective immediately (other than I-240, which is pending AASHTO/FHWA approval).

[okroads]

OK 4 is now signed on the H.E. Bailey Norman Spur, at least from I-44. It does not appear to be signed on the spur itself yet.

DSC04009 by Eric Stuve, on Flickr

DSC04010 by Eric Stuve, on Flickr

[Scott5114]

It's also signed as such from SH-76 (although only on independent-mount shields, the guide signage still just says TURNPIKE).

Those signs look pretty new, so it's kind of a shame that they ended up with a shoehorned-in shield like that. If they had to reuse the same panel, on the exit direction sign, I'd have rather them green out the "H.E. Bailey Spur" line and put the shield there. At least they used the correct arrow this time...

Also, what's with OTA's weird obsession with not posting an exit number at that interchange?

[yakra]

I've seen photos of OK375 signage. I'm not 100% certain on the location; maybe on OK9 US270.

[dchristy]

OK 375 signage is up at Hugo, Antlers, and Savanna.  Interestingly, it appears that they have taken the Indian Nation signage down.

[Scott5114]

OK 375 signage is up at Hugo, Antlers, and Savanna.  Interestingly, it appears that they have taken the Indian Nation signage down.

Not too unusual; that's what they did when SH-351 and 364 were numbered.

[yakra]

Dec 2021 GMSV shows OK301 on the Chickasaw Turnpike.
The OK7 Spur has stayed as-is, leaving a route change mid-pike. One could call this silly & needless, or say there's some merit in having different designations on the free & toll portions.

[Scott5114]

The 7 Spur designation was silly and needless before 301 was designated; it always should have been 7B.

[Plutonic Panda]

US-70 will be realigned around Madill with an interim configuration of two lanes with at grade intersections and an ultimate setup of a fully controlled access facility for a few miles:

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed project and the environmental study performed for realignment on US-70 in and around Madill. The project will improve safety, efficiency and travel time through the corridor.

The project consists of a realignment of US-70 half a mile west of US-177 at Mockingbird Lane extending east about 1 mile, crossing US-177 and BNSF railroad, then continuing southwest on a new alignment to SH-199 then south for 3 miles back to US-70 near Archard Rd.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2022/public-input-needed-on-us-70-realignment-in-madill-.html

[rte66man]

US-70 will be realigned around Madill with an interim configuration of two lanes with at grade intersections and an ultimate setup of a fully controlled access facility for a few miles:

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed project and the environmental study performed for realignment on US-70 in and around Madill. The project will improve safety, efficiency and travel time through the corridor.

The project consists of a realignment of US-70 half a mile west of US-177 at Mockingbird Lane extending east about 1 mile, crossing US-177 and BNSF railroad, then continuing southwest on a new alignment to SH-199 then south for 3 miles back to US-70 near Archard Rd.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2022/public-input-needed-on-us-70-realignment-in-madill-.html

Uhh, how about southeast instead.

Seriously, this trend of ODOT to build out bypasses as 2 lanes with at-grade intersections is troubling.  First Chickasha, now Madill. Odds are they never come back and finish it off.

[Bobby5280]

I thought the bypass around Chickasha was supposed to be a combination of intersections, a couple limited access and others at-grade. It looks like the same design "template" at the Duncan bypass. In the case of the Duncan bypass they've done some spot upgrades since it was built. And there is enough ROW to add a second roadway to make it 4 lanes. The ROW is key for any future upgrade capability. I don't know if the Madill bypass will be built like that.

[skluth]

US-70 will be realigned around Madill with an interim configuration of two lanes with at grade intersections and an ultimate setup of a fully controlled access facility for a few miles:

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed project and the environmental study performed for realignment on US-70 in and around Madill. The project will improve safety, efficiency and travel time through the corridor.

The project consists of a realignment of US-70 half a mile west of US-177 at Mockingbird Lane extending east about 1 mile, crossing US-177 and BNSF railroad, then continuing southwest on a new alignment to SH-199 then south for 3 miles back to US-70 near Archard Rd.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2022/public-input-needed-on-us-70-realignment-in-madill-.html

Uhh, how about southeast instead.

Seriously, this trend of ODOT to build out bypasses as 2 lanes with at-grade intersections is troubling.  First Chickasha, now Madill. Odds are they never come back and finish it off.

Here's the study with a map of the bypass.

Personally, I don't think anything more than a 2-lane bypass is justified at present. Not every bypass needs to be built as a freeway; freeways and interchanges are expensive and may not justify the expense to the taxpayers. This bypass will get much of the thru truck traffic out of Madill. As Bobby stated, it's important to make sure the ROW is adequate so that an improved four-lane expressway or better can be built if future trends warrant it. I'll also add it's as important to prevent any driveways or new streets connecting to the new bypass and I would recommend that citizens include that in their input. Doing these simple, oft-neglected, steps will save taxpayers in the long run.

[Plutonic Panda]

^^^ as long as ODOT preserves the ROW and doesn’t allow for development to encroach and make a future upgrade more costly due to poor planning then I’m all for it.

[rte66man]

US-70 will be realigned around Madill with an interim configuration of two lanes with at grade intersections and an ultimate setup of a fully controlled access facility for a few miles:

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed project and the environmental study performed for realignment on US-70 in and around Madill. The project will improve safety, efficiency and travel time through the corridor.

The project consists of a realignment of US-70 half a mile west of US-177 at Mockingbird Lane extending east about 1 mile, crossing US-177 and BNSF railroad, then continuing southwest on a new alignment to SH-199 then south for 3 miles back to US-70 near Archard Rd.

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2022/public-input-needed-on-us-70-realignment-in-madill-.html

Uhh, how about southeast instead.

Seriously, this trend of ODOT to build out bypasses as 2 lanes with at-grade intersections is troubling.  First Chickasha, now Madill. Odds are they never come back and finish it off.

Here's the study with a map of the bypass.

Personally, I don't think anything more than a 2-lane bypass is justified at present. Not every bypass needs to be built as a freeway; freeways and interchanges are expensive and may not justify the expense to the taxpayers. This bypass will get much of the thru truck traffic out of Madill. As Bobby stated, it's important to make sure the ROW is adequate so that an improved four-lane expressway or better can be built if future trends warrant it. I'll also add it's as important to prevent any driveways or new streets connecting to the new bypass and I would recommend that citizens include that in their input. Doing these simple, oft-neglected, steps will save taxpayers in the long run.

A bigger issue with the plans are at the western end. Rather than beginning the bypass further west on 70 and bypassing Oakland to the north, they cheaped out and essentially send it east from the existing OK199 intersection. Of all the intersections needing to be an interchange, that is the one. It doesn't look like they left room for one in the future.

[Plutonic Panda]

^^^ yeah I kind of see what you’re saying now I looked at it more closely. I’m a bit confused by the proposed ROW but it looks like they aren’t leaving any room for expansion at the NW part of this project. That leads me to believe maybe they build a future project to bypass Oakland but if that’s the case why didn’t they route a section around the SW part of Madill? Unless the majority of traffic is continuing north west on US-177.

I think traffic counts are going to start growing faster as Ardmore and Durant continue to see more economic activity coupled with a growing tourism scene at the Arbuckles, Lake Texoma, and SE Oklahoma. Davis and Sulphur are also starting to increased popularity. I’ve really started to go to Sulphur more and more. They have a really nice hotel there.

[In_Correct]

My main concern is a Grade Separation for The B.N.S.F. Rail Line, which the current alignment has a tunnel under it. This provides access to both Kingston and Madill with out needing to wait for trains to finish.

It is alarming to read about The Marshall County Bypass being very cheap. The Chickasha Bypass, The Stephens County Bypass, and of course The Unfinished Chickasaw Turnpike. ...

The current plans DO include a Grade Separation for the new alignment also: a bridge over B.N.S.F. Rail Line.

If they do not bypass Oakland, perhaps they shall upgrade the existing corridor. However, a bypass around Oakland would be much easier.

I agree about the Traffic in Murray County also. Time for U.S. 177 to be upgraded.

[CoreySamson]

As of 1/16/23 OTA is actively installing a cable barrier on the southernmost 8 miles of OK-375. Traffic is down to one lane and a reduced speed limit.

[CoreySamson]

As of 1/16/23 OTA is actively installing a cable barrier on the southernmost 8 10 miles of OK-375. Traffic is down to one lane and a reduced speed limit.

They have finished the barrier on the 7 southernmost miles of the project as of yesterday. It looks like they only have about 3 more to go before this project is complete.

[Plutonic Panda]

A project to add two ramps completing the diamond interchange at US-60 and Main St. in Durant is scheduled to start construction in 2025:

https://us70-durant-poe.hub.arcgis.com/

[DJStephens]

Looking at the map, the interchange in question is of a "super two" with the old alignment.  Wonder why they just don't double barrel the eastern part of that southern Durant bypass, while they're doing this?   

[rte66man]

A project to add two ramps completing the diamond interchange at US-60 70 and Main St. in Durant is scheduled to start construction in 2025:

https://us70-durant-poe.hub.arcgis.com/

ftfy